Belardi Auto Racing has signed Skip Barber notable Danilo Estrela to fill its third seat for the 2013 Cooper Tires USF2000 Presented by Mazda season.
A 19-year-old from Goiania, Brazil, Estrela begin his career in North American motorsport in 2010. The Brazilian became a Skip Barber Karting Shootout winner which allowed him to have a fully funded ride in the BFGoodrich Skip Barber National Championship, where he scored one win, four podiums and many top fives. From there Estrela again competed in the shootout where he won for the second year in a row, and followed with another successful National Championship season in which he won half the year's 12 races and swept all pole positions.
"I am really happy to join Belardi Auto Racing," Estrela said. "The whole team is awesome and I am really thankful for all the help and effort that [team owner] Brian, the engineers, mechanics and everyone has put in. They have made my job as a driver a lot easier.
"Working with the team at the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy test, and again at Sebring a few weeks ago, showed me that this is a team I can be successful with, and I really just can't wait to start the season with them. I have to mention JJRD and Jonatan Jorge for continuing to help me and guide me through my racing career."
Team owner Brian Belardi commented, "Danilo is a going to be a great addition to the Belardi Auto Racing team. He was quick and adapted very well when he tested with us at IMS last October, so we gave him another test at Sebring during a team test a few weeks ago and continued to impress us. The whole team is really pleased with his work ethic and excitement, and we are really just happy to have him."